TRIPS

Turning Responsibility Into Powerful Service

Turning Responsibility Into Powerful Service (TRIPS) is an alternative break service program that equips students to grow through hands-on education, service, and reflection to become engaged citizens who strengthen communities by committing to social justice.

We offer students leadership skills, new perspectives, and a deeper understanding of our local and national communities. Along the way, students experience new cultures, discover how to make positive changes within themselves and the world, and have a lot of fun! The best way to understand is to try it for yourself.

2026-27 Issues and Destinations

The TRIPS Program is excited to return to work with partners in communities around the United States during the 2026-27 academic year. Every trip will learn about the systemic problems and solutions related to a specific social issue, work with an agency working to strengthen the community, and organize an advocacy project to strengthen our own community after returning to campus.

Issue Destination Dates Cost Community PArtner
Children's Healthcare Memphis, TN Jan. 10-16, 2027 $200 ($20 driver discount) LeBonheur Children's Hospital
Immigration Denver, CO Jan. 10-16, 2027 $200 ($20 driver discount) Colorado Vincentian Volunteers
Addressing Homelessness Washington, D.C. Jan. 10-16, 2027 $200 ($20 driver discount) Fr. McKenna Center
Animal Welfare Pittsboro, NC March 14-20, 2027 $200 ($20 driver discount) Carolina Tiger Rescue
Environmental Sustainability Asheville, NC March 14-20, 2027 $200 ($20 driver discount) Asheville GreenWorks
Trauma and Poverty Baltimore, MD March 14-20, 2027 $200 ($20 driver discount) Catholic Charities, Baltimore
Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor Ossing, New York March 14-20, 2027 $200 ($20 driver discount) Center at Mariandale
Environmental Justice Munising, Michigan Sept 30-Oct 4th, 2026 $200 ($20 driver discount) Service in the UP

Vision

Strengthening communities by turning responsibility into powerful service.

Mission

TRIP Leaders and participants grow through hands-on education, service, and reflection to become engaged citizens who strengthen communities by committing to social justce,

  • Apply to Go on a Trip!

    2025-26 TRIPS Participant Application is now closed.

    Full-time SNC students who are committed to social issues, direct service, making a difference, and having fun are invited to apply.

    Did you see that last part? TRIPS is fun! We organize students into teams of 6-10 people and prepare you to join the ongoing work of a community partner in another part of the country. Before you travel, students will learn a TON about leadership, social justice, Catholic Social Teaching, individual strengths, team dynamics, and more. On your trip, you'll make friends with people from other years and majors, invest your time and energy in the common good, reflect on how these experiences are shaping your values and vocations, and listen to A LOT of music. When you return to SNC, the TRIPS Staff will help you create an action plan to invest what you've learned back here in our local community.

    Participants should commit to attending small group meetings with their teams as well as TRIPS Program large group events on Monday evenings throughout the year. TRIPS begins in October and lasts until the end of the spring semester.

  • Apply to be a TRIPS Leader

    Trip Leaders are essential to realizing this mission each year! Trip Leaders are selected each spring for trips during the following year and co-lead as pairs. Before the trip, Trip Leaders are trained in a variety of topics and have hands-on practice leading their peers. Professional staff from the Sturzl Center for Community Service and Learning support Trip Leaders and Participants throughout the year to ensure that students are ready to be transformed by their service experiences.

    TRIPS Leader applications for 2025-2026 are closed. Please reach out if you have any questions.

  • Apply to be on the TRIPS Staff

    TRIPS is a student-led program that is coordinated by a team of students with the support of the professional staff in the Sturzl Center for Community Service and Learning. The student staff on TRIPS help to plan alternative break trips, facilitate student trainings and social justice workshops, and help their peers apply what they learned once they return..

    TRIPS Staff applications for 2025-2026 are closed. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.